Birds
singing, orchestrating the background hums of roosters crowing at the break of
dawn to ring the New Year in. We noticed on this fine morning, that the
avocado tree facing our Verenda is flowering for the first time in three
years, since we’ve been here . What a beautiful start of the morning, a start
of the New Year.
Yes, we thought long and hard about our wish for all you this year. Together with good health and happiness, we've added an extra hope for 2016, another wish for you to experience something extra and wonderful: friendship, a skill that captures your imagination, a job that offers fulfillment, and, of course, new things in your life that will make your heart sing.
On our arrival to our usual guesthouse in Phnom Penh, we were greeted by a number of jovial Tuk Tuk drivers whom we use regularly to go about our daily ins and outs, meetings and so forth … ‘Papa – Happy New Year – Swaseday Ch’nam Tmey!’ they shouted in a chorus. Some shook our hands, others gave us a hug and a pat on the back. Whilst we were in PP, we also went to Hans’ place for dinner to join his new baby and Cambodian partner. He had prepared a special Dutch hors d'oeuvre composed of anise and sweet crackers; typically to mark the New Year in Holland. We first met Hans in MDK working on a Science project with VSO. Hans had worked for VSO off and on for the past 12 years and now is presently coordinating a Science project in 10 high schools throughout Cambodia.
Along with the same theme, in the New Year, we ran into Yves who was in the midst of doing a visa run when we saw him. Yves was one of the former Cuso/VSO Volunteers in MDK with us, and is now doing a short term volunteer contract for Cuso International in Myanmar.
On our return from our conference in Phnom Penh, we were saddened to find that the garden lady’s vegetable plot was recently replaced with a shabby saffron road overlooking the surrounding lake. Is this progress in the name of 'future' tourism? There’s even a set of wooden chalets that’s been speedily erected within the vicinity, as I speak.
On a more upbeat note, don't forget to do something special you've been longing to do. Then ... listen to your heart sing.
More later ... :)
Yes, we thought long and hard about our wish for all you this year. Together with good health and happiness, we've added an extra hope for 2016, another wish for you to experience something extra and wonderful: friendship, a skill that captures your imagination, a job that offers fulfillment, and, of course, new things in your life that will make your heart sing.
On our arrival to our usual guesthouse in Phnom Penh, we were greeted by a number of jovial Tuk Tuk drivers whom we use regularly to go about our daily ins and outs, meetings and so forth … ‘Papa – Happy New Year – Swaseday Ch’nam Tmey!’ they shouted in a chorus. Some shook our hands, others gave us a hug and a pat on the back. Whilst we were in PP, we also went to Hans’ place for dinner to join his new baby and Cambodian partner. He had prepared a special Dutch hors d'oeuvre composed of anise and sweet crackers; typically to mark the New Year in Holland. We first met Hans in MDK working on a Science project with VSO. Hans had worked for VSO off and on for the past 12 years and now is presently coordinating a Science project in 10 high schools throughout Cambodia.
Along with the same theme, in the New Year, we ran into Yves who was in the midst of doing a visa run when we saw him. Yves was one of the former Cuso/VSO Volunteers in MDK with us, and is now doing a short term volunteer contract for Cuso International in Myanmar.
On our return from our conference in Phnom Penh, we were saddened to find that the garden lady’s vegetable plot was recently replaced with a shabby saffron road overlooking the surrounding lake. Is this progress in the name of 'future' tourism? There’s even a set of wooden chalets that’s been speedily erected within the vicinity, as I speak.
On a more upbeat note, don't forget to do something special you've been longing to do. Then ... listen to your heart sing.
More later ... :)
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